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Fukuoka vs Kyoto cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐ฏ๐ต Fukuoka
๐ฏ๐ต Kyoto
At a glance
- Where Kyoto is clearly cheaper: Entry ticket (40%โ), Street food (38%โ)
- Where Fukuoka is clearly cheaper: Cocktail & wine (30%โ), Massage (20%โ), Studio rent (month) (18%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Both cities are about equally easy to travel. Biggest gap: getting around โ Fukuoka 1 vs Kyoto 2. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Fukuoka | Kyoto | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ยฅ 1,000$6.76 | ยฅ 1,100$7.43 | Fukuoka โ9% |
| Street food1 item | ยฅ 800$5.41 | ยฅ 500$3.38 | Kyoto โ38% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | ยฅ 3,500$23.6 | ยฅ 3,500$23.6 | similar |
| Coffeeone cup | ยฅ 500$3.38 | ยฅ 600$4.05 | Fukuoka โ17% |
| Beerone bottle | ยฅ 580$3.92 | ยฅ 600$4.05 | similar |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | ยฅ 700$4.73 | ยฅ 1,000$6.76 | Fukuoka โ30% |
| Bottled water | ยฅ 130$0.88 | ยฅ 130$0.88 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | ยฅ 190$1.28 | ยฅ 180$1.22 | Kyoto โ5% |
| Taxi5 km in town | ยฅ 2,000$13.5 | ยฅ 2,200$14.9 | Fukuoka โ9% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ยฅ 1,000$6.76 | ยฅ 1,000$6.76 | similar |
| Transitone ride | ยฅ 210$1.42 | ยฅ 230$1.55 | Fukuoka โ9% |
| Scooter rentalper day | ยฅ 2,700$18.2 | ยฅ 2,600$17.6 | similar |
| Hotel night3-star | ยฅ 13,000$87.8 | ยฅ 13,000$87.8 | similar |
| Studio rent (month) | ยฅ 70,000$473 | ยฅ 85,000$574 | Fukuoka โ18% |
| Laundry | ยฅ 740$5 | ยฅ 700$4.73 | Kyoto โ5% |
| SIM card1 week data | ยฅ 2,500$16.9 | ยฅ 2,800$18.9 | Fukuoka โ11% |
| Haircutcut | ยฅ 2,500$16.9 | ยฅ 3,000$20.3 | Fukuoka โ17% |
| Massage1 hour | ยฅ 4,000$27 | ยฅ 5,000$33.8 | Fukuoka โ20% |
| Half-day tourper person | ยฅ 8,000$54.1 | ยฅ 8,000$54.1 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | ยฅ 1,000$6.76 | ยฅ 600$4.05 | Kyoto โ40% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Fukuoka or Kyoto?
Fukuoka is 8% cheaper than Kyoto. Daily budget $177 vs $184; a month $2,323 vs $2,665.
Which is easier to travel, Fukuoka or Kyoto?
About the same: Fukuoka 1.6/5, Kyoto 1.8/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Fukuoka and Kyoto?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Fukuoka is about $2,323 and Kyoto about $2,665 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.